Typically I like to swap out plastic guide rods for stainless, and change out the springs from the factory ones. But after doing some reading on here and other forums, it looks like that's not recommended for the SD VE series?

I had been looking at the Galloway stainless rod w/ 21lb spring for my SD40VE.

Thoughts? Consensus?

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-WildBillOH
M&P .40 / SD40 VE

If it ain't broke why fix it. And you said you read that is not good to do, what more you want?

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Well, I've read conflicting arguments. Some say the revised guide rod from Galloway is fine to use.

I'm with you on if it isn't broke, don't fix it...but then I'm not so much looking for a fix but as an upgrade over the stock plastic rod and stock spring.

Just was curious as to what the consensus was and what others are using.

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-WildBillOH
M&P .40 / SD40 VE

After it breaks, if it ever does break, maybe then look to replace it. Like mentioned above, if it ain't broke.....

Aftermarket $30 assembly:
Work it does.


Waste of money it is.


The ISMI flat wound spring is as good as it gets. For $9 you can get a spare stock recoil assembly.

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Science plus Art

All he has to do is call S&W and they will send him a factory GRA FREE of charge.

I'm surprised, that with all the issues which surfaced on various threads on this forum, there is even a question of going to metal.

I just purchased a SD9ve and was thinking of upgrading the recoil guide rod. In brief what's the issue with the steel guide rod I should be aware of?
Thanks

Search this forum for posts but some of the steel guide rods were damaging the slide or the frame at the end points.

I think Galloway has revised their SD guide rods to solve the occasional problem of damage to SD frames -- but if you buy one off the internet from anybody other than Galloway directly, you have no idea if you are getting new old stock (e.g., the earlier version).

I like metal guide rods -- I put a stainless one in a Sig-Sauer, and tried the Galloway in one of my SD pistols. But now I am back to the factory plastic version. I think it works fine. I am dubious about the need for metal guide rod in the SD. The SD is a great value for the money, and adding a $30 gizmo raises cost without adding much value. That said, I think someone can add the new version of the Galloway with less risk of damaging their SD frame than was the case before members of this forum found the problem and engaged Galloway to fix it (which they graciously did).

I hate to chime in at all -- because something like a metal guide rod is like an engraved zombie insignia on the slide cover -- if you really want it, do it, its your pistol and its supposed to be fun, so who am I to criticize? But, for what its worth, I am an inveterate tinkerer with pistols (in the past: Apex parts, new sights and grips, although never lighter spring kits) and I am foregoing adding an all-metal guide rod to my very reliable, accurate, $279 SD9.

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S&W Rover

I am surprised at how many members bad mouth gun owners (mostly in here I am referring to the SD series) for upgrading their firearm. Buying a Sd_VE for less than $300 is a great deal for a person on a budget. They may have to consider the gun price, tax or FFL transfer fees from the net, a CC weapons course cost, ammo, range fee, and CC license costs and all this runs into some fairly big $$$ ....especially someone on a fixed income. Buying a VE model and upgrading it little by little with trigger kit, springs, sights, (guide rod (IF that is what they want to do) affords an individual to have a reliable pistol to start out with and little by little make it a better pistol as they can spend money a little at a time doing so. Dropping $275 for many people is much more realistic for their budget than $450 on an M&P.

I am continually amazed how many people automatically assume that anything aftermarket is an "upgrade" to a factory pistol, whether it actually improves anything or not. The number one reason people drop out of my IDPA matches is that they "upgrade" a reliable pistol until it isn't. Then they are unhappy because nobody will pay them for all the "extras" they added when they try to swap it.

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Science plus Art

I can see your point to a certain extent, however ... 1. I do modify a gun with resale to others a factor....... I do not resale to individuals. 2. I no longer compete in IDPA events, so not a factor for what mods made....and actually I found the real reason a lot of people drop out is because of the few individuals that have a holier than thou attitude and want to treat a competition like boot camp in Camp Lejeune. I have made the same comment you made in the CZ/clone forum from time to time....but I mean a person buying a gun....never shooting it and sending it in for hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of mods because someone else that has the same firearm says to do it is insane....IMO. To install new sights, or an Apex trigger is not like replacing every spring, pin and moving part in the firearm just for *****s and grins. Also, every upgrade I make has to be 100% reliable and dependable because every pistol I own is in the EDC rotation.

Just read the thread a little bit up the forum. Stay stock!

I am one of the "on a budget" guys. That being said, forums, gun articles and You Tube videos can make you feel like you need these upgrades. Perhaps I lucked into a decent trigger. Perhaps I am just not a refined enough. (I have never shot a VP9 or a PPQ) After owning and shooting my SD9VE for a about half a year now I am coming to the conclusion that I just don't need the upgrades. (Other than Talon grips, I am definitely getting that) I have range time coming up with a free rental included. I plan on a side by side comparison with a G19.


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I say keep it stock.

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SD9VE, American perfection!

Check this thread in depth. "SD40VE ~1600 rds, broken frame/slide takedown lever issue", May make you think twice about swapping out your guide rod. It did for me!

I know our opinions vary but I'll share my thoughts on it:

The first gun I owned that had a plastic guide rod was the mighty Sigma. We shot the daylights out of that gun and I honestly can't recall a single failure to feed, fire or eject. After that I never gave it a second thought. These guns are designed to function with those guide rods and function they do.

My second was the SD9VE which also worked great although I only kept it a few thousand rounds until I found the fiber optic model.

I just don't see any need to spend money on them, and being old school Air Force I've got the "if it ain't broke" outlook. LOL!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to shooting my new fiber optic SD, and will give you guys a report as soon as I can.

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SD9VE, American perfection!

FWIW: My SD40ve has over 2,500 rds through it and it is still like new!
Polymer RSA is fine! It also looks new! Why the upgrade to SS? Is it just because you can't stand to have plastic in your piece? The gun was designed to use a polymer guide rod! The same as Glock! Why take chances on damaging the polymer frame with a SS Guide Rod?
I think most upgrades are due to being influenced by other gun owners' that have also been told they need to upgrade!

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

So I think the consensus was loud and clear on this one. Stay with the stock GRA. Got it.

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-WildBillOH
M&P .40 / SD40 VE